Puu Jih Shih Temple | Sandakan

Information

Landmark: Puu Jih Shih Temple
City: Sandakan
Country: Malaysia
Continent: Asia

Puu Jih Shih Temple, Sandakan, Malaysia, Asia

The Suramadu Bridge is a 5.4 km long bridge connecting the island of Java to Madura in Indonesia.

Visual Characteristics

The bridge features a cable-stayed design with two main pylons. The deck is constructed from reinforced concrete and steel. The pylons are painted a light grey, and the cables are a contrasting dark grey. The bridge has a total width of 30 meters, accommodating four lanes of traffic and two service lanes.

Location & Access Logistics

The bridge spans the Madura Strait, linking Surabaya on Java to Bangkalan on Madura. Access from Surabaya is via Jalan Tol Surabaya-Gresik and then connecting to the bridge approach. From Bangkalan, access is via Jalan Raya Suramadu. There are multiple toll plazas at both ends of the bridge. Public transportation options include intercity buses and local minibuses (angkot) that traverse the bridge. Parking is available at designated rest areas on both the Java and Madura sides.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Construction of the Suramadu Bridge began in August 2003 and was completed in June 2009. The project was overseen by the Indonesian government, with engineering and construction input from various domestic and international firms. Its primary purpose was to improve connectivity and economic development between Java and Madura.

Key Highlights & Activities

Vehicular transit across the bridge is the primary activity. Pedestrian access is restricted to designated walkways during specific hours. Observation points are available at the toll plazas on both sides, offering views of the strait and the bridge structure.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Rest areas are located on both the Java and Madura sides, offering basic amenities. These include restrooms and small food stalls selling local snacks and beverages. Cell phone signal (4G) is generally available across the bridge, though signal strength may vary.

Best Time to Visit

For photography of the bridge structure, early morning or late afternoon provides optimal lighting conditions. The months of June to September generally offer drier weather. There are no tide-dependent activities associated with the bridge itself.

Facts & Legends

A local belief suggests that the bridge's construction was influenced by the legend of the "Ratu Laut Selatan" (Queen of the Southern Sea), who is said to have blessed the project for prosperity. A verified historical oddity is that the bridge was built using a significant amount of locally sourced materials, including steel from Indonesian manufacturers.